Even the Mariners logo struggles against big league foes

The Oriole, the Swingin’ Friar and Minnie and Paul have gone the way of high socks and creased cap bills.

The ‘toons are still alive and well in the minor leagues, but the big leagues have grown up.

“When sports branding became an industry and mascot depiction became more graphic, teams and schools moved away from those cartoon renderings in favor of more iconic executions, which are visually more ‘professional,'” logo designer Dan Simon told Caple.

Caple followed up his brief history lesson with a ranking of current logos. He stressed he is talking about team logos, not cap insignias.

The Mariners? No. 20.

“I’m not exactly sure how to read the ‘compass rose,'” Caple writes, “and based on Seattle’s moves in recent years (seven managerial changes since 2002), I’m not sure the Mariners know, either.”

The good news is the Mariners didn’t finish last in the American League West. That honor goes to the Texas Rangers at No. 26.

“Note to Nolan Ryan,” Caple writes. “Congratulations on the minority ownership thing. Way to get the Rangers to the World Series. And keep up the effort to have starters pitch longer into games. But can you please turn your attention to something really important, like getting the team a decent logo?”

The No. 1 logo, according to Caple, is the New York Mets’ for its “distinctive dark skyline, the white bridge symbolizing the five boroughs, the classic Mets script, the terrific color scheme of orange and blue.”